TRENTON (CBS) 53; More than 30,000 angry New Jersey residents marched to the state capitol Saturday, delivering a blistering message to the governor in an effort to protect their turf and their paychecks.
At times resembling both a rock concert and a pep rally, more than 30,000 union employees and community activists gathered for a massive protest at the capitol to blast the governor.
"He has absolutely forfeited every one of his promises," teacher Anna Kimerly said.
It's a budget they say cuts to the bone.
"Fifty thousand parents will be denied health coverage," Bruce Davison said.
The emotions matched the size of the biggest crowd state police had seen in years, with signs calling Governor Chris Christie the biggest loser, a liar, and someone who duped them.
"We ask the governor, while school system is trying to teach diversity and anti-bullying, to stop being the biggest bully in the state," James Harris, of the NAACP, said.
Christie is the crosshairs for a budget that slashes funding for education and aid to cities and towns, while mandating unpaid state employee furloughs.
"We've been sacrificing for two years, but we're being vilified," Bob Kair, of the Communications Workers of America, said. "We are not the enemy."
New Jersey residents already own the highest tax burden in the country, so the governor has taken future tax increases off the table. With a multibillion dollar deficit, he says there's no other option other than to cut spending?
"I can't print money," Governor Christie said.
On Saturday, Christie defended his spending plan and then went on the attack, asking why teachers won't contribute towards their health insurance or give back raises when the economy is hurting.
"The state can no longer afford this, the localities can't afford it, and they're protesting not in anybody's interest other than their own self-interest," Christie said.
Back at the rally, there was plenty of rhetoric – but few solutions on funding sources.
"I don't know. Can we get businesses to come into the state?" school counselor Joyce Trotman-Jordan said.
Finding the answers is proving to be divisive, and incredibly difficult.
"The options aren't cutting from poor people," Pamela Murphy, an Upper Freehold resident who works in geriatric care, said.
The proposed budget is $29.3 billion dollars. New Jersey is required by its constitution to pass a budget by July 1.
